Tonight is the night! Join us tonightright hereon the TSG forum for our release party chat. You will finally be able to see all five of the new sets in full before anyone else and chat with some of the Trendsetters as well :)

Happy Saturday, Friends!Stampbook projects are always a stretch for me. I have to admit that I was never good at taking pictures of my kids over the years. With four boys, they were always running in four different directions and trying to get a shot at them was pretty much impossible. But, I did try!

What is a Stampbook Page?A Stampbook Page is a scrapbook page created using stamps and inspired by a card. Each week we create a new Stampbook Page to give you ideas on how to use your stamps in a new way and hopefully inspire you to catch up on those family photos that you've been meaning to scrapbook. ;)A bit ago, I made this card using the Dance set. I never posted it because it was so far off my normal beaten path, but when I was looking for inspiration for a scrapbook page, it worked!

I used the same layout from the card on my stampbook page. The photograph is one that my Aunt Marci took of a gorgeous hibiscus flower. I cut the picture into 1" squares and reassembled them on the frame. I used the flowers from the Dance set to decorate.

My journaling is more of a confession as to my lack of botanical knowledge! :)

Friday, July 30, 2010

All week long the Trendsetters have not only been inspiring you with creations made with the 5 new & soon to be released stamp set, but they have also been giving you the chance to WIN these sets as well! Just in case you missed out the first time around, here are the links to the Blog Hop Challenges from this week. You have until midnight tonight to enter for your chance to win new stamps!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Today we have sneak peeks of two awesome stamp sets that were illustrated by our newest TSG artist, Torico! My friend CraftyMathChick from the Friday Night Chats has been asking for a dog themed stamp for soooo long and Kelli has been wanting some “cute little fat bumblebees” and as soon as I started working with Torico, I knew that she would do an amazing job on both of these type of sets :) I promise that you will LOVE these cute images!

Bee Happy is a 3x4 stamp set that includes a total of 27 stamps and will sell for $7.

Puppy Love is a 4x8 stamp set that includes a total of 39 stamps and will sell for $18.

Would you like a chance to win both the Puppy Love and Bee Happy stamp sets? Here’s what you need to do: go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their Puppy Love / Bee Happy Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog to add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own Puppy Love and Bee Happy stamp sets. The winner will be announced Saturday (July 31st) during the Release Party Chat.

Make sure to stop by the TSG Blog on Friday to see new TSG Tips & Tricks sheets featuring the brand new stamp sets! The Tip Sheets will also be available to download as .pdf files so that you can print them out to keep on hand for easy access during stamping :)

The first stop on this hop is Danielle! I have included links to all of the Trendsetters participating in this hop just in case you get lost along the way.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

There She Goes is proud to add another stamp set to the Stamps For A Cause collection! Kristy K. contacted me back in April with an idea for a stamp set about a cause that was close to her heart- Cancer Society's Relay for Life. I couldn’t help but get caught up in her enthusiasm and knew that this is something that I wanted to pursue. For each Winning The Race mini set sold, TSG will donate $4 to the American Cancer Society!

Winning The Race is a 3x4 stamp set that includes a total of 10 stamps and will sell for $7 (with $4 being donated to the American Cancer Society)

Kindred Spirits

The second mini set that the Trendsetters are showing off is called Kindred Spirits. This beautiful mini set includes two different sized flower outlines as well as textured silhouette flower images that can be stamped underneath to add wonderful dimension to any project!

Kindred Spirits is a 3x4 stamp set that includes a total of 7 stamps and will sell for $7.

Would you like a chance to win both of the mini sets Winning The Race and Kindred Spirits? Here’s what you need to do: go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their Winning The Race / Kindred Spirits Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog to add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own Winning The Race / Kindred Spirits stamp sets. The winner will be announced Saturday (July 31st) during the Release Party Chat.

Make sure to stop by the TSG Blog on Friday to see new TSG Tips & Tricks sheets featuring the brand new stamp sets! The Tip Sheets will also be available to download as .pdf files so that you can print them out to keep on hand for easy access during stamping :)

The first stop on our Winning The Race / Kindred Spirits blog hop challenge is Danielle! Here are the links to all of the Trendsetters that are participating in the blog hop just in case you get lost along the way!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

I am so excited for today’s sneak peeks of the brand new, beautifully illustrated stamp set by Chris Dark! I have been wanting to have a stamp set like this included in the TSG Collection for a very long time and Chris was able make my ideas come to life. This Asian inspired stamp set includes many beautiful images that you are going to love to use on a regular basis!

The Journey is a 6x8 stamp set that includes a total of 20 stamps and will sell for $24.

Would you like a chance to win the The Journey stamp set? Here’s what you need to do: go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their The Journey Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog to add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own The Journey stamp set. The winner will be announced Saturday (July 31st) during the Release Party Chat.

Make sure to stop by the TSG Blog on Friday to see new TSG Tips & Tricks sheets featuring the brand new stamp sets! The Tip Sheets will also be available to download as .pdf files so that you can print them out to keep on hand for easy access during stamping :)

The first stop on our The Journey Blog Hop Challenge is the illustrator of this beautiful set, Chris! I have included links to the other Trendsetters playing along in this hope as well just in case you get lost along the way.

Monday, July 26, 2010

This week’s challenge is brought to us by our Trendsetter of the Week (and fearless leader), Jessica! You know how much Jessica loves to make cards with creative folds, and this week she wants us to try our hand at Easel Cards.

You can find a wonderful tutorial HERE if you’ve never created one of these fun and one-of-a-kind cards. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

To be eligible for the giveaway, you are to create an easel card, and then come back to the TSG Blog to add your name and a link to your project in the Inlinkz that is located at the bottom of this challenge post. This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (August 2nd). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG Web store!

By participating in this challenge, you may also find yourself in the Trendsetting Spotlight that shines on the TSG Blog every Thursday. We will be on the look out to find challenge cards that stand out and show Trendsetting qualities. TSG stamps are not required to participate in the challenges but are appreciated :)

You do not need to have a blog to be able to participate in the TSG Challenges! You can simply add the URL link from your project after it has been uploaded to your online craft gallery. If you upload your card to an online craft gallery, please use the keyword TSG65 so we can check out your beautiful work!

Need some inspiration to help you get started? Check out these great cards made by the following Trendsetters!
~ Mercy
~Jessica
~

Sunday, July 25, 2010

What is Week In Review (WIR)?- WIR is where we showcase cards made by the Trendsetters and myself throughout the week. Not only to you get to see gorgeous projects made using TSG stamps, but you also have a chance to WIN one of these cards! Leave a comment on this post and tomorrow (Monday) I will choose a winner using a random number generator. That person will then get to pick out their favorite card and the Trendsetter that created it will send it to them :)

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Hello everyone and happy Saturday! Jessica here to share a Stampbook Page with you. It's been awhile since I have had a chance to make one of these bad boys and it always feels great to get back into the groove :)

What is a Stampbook Page? A Stampbook Page is a scrapbook page created using stamps and inspired by a card. Each week we create a new Stampbook Page to give you ideas on how to use your stamps in a new way and hopefully inspire you to catch up on those family photos that you've been meaning to scrapbook. ;)

My page today was inspired by this simple yet beautiful card made by Heather. You can find the details about her card right here on her blog.

* I used this beautiful picture I took of my two big girls on July 3rd
* I distressed the edges before sewing the edges
* Stamp sets used on this page are Polka Dot Hello, Poppies, Nature Of Friendship
*The background was stamped in White Stazon using stamps from Polka Dot Hello and Nature Of Friendship
* Instead of coloring the butterflies like Heather did, I stamped them onto various pieces of scrap designer paper, cut out and added blue stickles before adhering the the page with red tape
*I ruffled the ribbon using the method that Heather did a tutorial for right here

Friday, July 23, 2010

Join us tonight right here in the TSG Forum for our weekly Friday Night Chat!

Everyone is welcome and we love to meet new people :)

It's me again, Lisa with this week's Dollar Find project. This week I've got a super simple and super quick hostess gift idea. Are you seeing a theme in my projects? LOL! With 3 little ones and a busy schedule, my crafting time is limited to small chunks at a time. So I like to keep things as simple as possible. You don't have to sacrifice cuteness or the WOW factor, just because it's quick and easy.

I picked up a few sweet, little potted herb plants. I had them on my window sill and decided that a cute little garden pick would turn these into a great little hostess gift to take to any summer party. I used the What's Up Buttercup? stamp set, some Webster's Pages dp and a scallop edge to pull it all together. I found my stash of Popsicle sticks, you know the ones you get with rub-ons, and re- purposed them to make my pick for my sign. This took me all of about 8 minutes to complete. What neighbor, friend, or relative wouldn't love to get one of these as you enter their door for your next get together.

A little ribbon and twine and done! Hope you feel inspired to create something quick, and easy, that doesn't cost a lot! Enjoy the weekend!

Thursday, July 22, 2010

It's time for the Trendsetting Spotlight!Each Thursday we feature a card made by someone who has participated in the previous week's TSG Challenge. Would you like to be in the Trendsetting Spotlight?? Join in the fun by participating in ourweekly challenges posted every Monday!

Cassie's stamping beginnings are much like the lot of us... she went to a stamping party and well it was love at first ink. A self-professed bling girl, she's also getting into the handmade flower trend. We're lovin' that trend, too!

Though she says she has not been published yet, I think she's got the right stuff! But, for right now she has her hands full. She's a mom to two young sons, a wife to a hobby supporting husband and... get this... she's a high school English teacher! Girl, I give you major kudos. I have two teenage boys. *Shiver* You are in line for sainthood! (Uh oh, now I'm wondering if I should spell check this post! LOL).

When she's not doing all that, you can find Cassie curled up with a good book! Good for you, girl. After that, you deserve the rest!

Thanks, Cassie, for sharing yourself with us! You see more of Cassie's outstanding work on her blog, Crafty Cassie's Corner.

Next week is sneak peek time, so this feature will be interrupted, but we'll be back the following week!!

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Hi ya! Lisa here with this week's Wednesday Trends post. I am so excited to show you what I've been up to. I love how quick and easy these were to make and I'm just giddy with how they turned out.

Handmade embellies are all the rage these days. I used to drool over all the fun embellishments you can find in any of the craft stores. Then I cringed when I'd see the price and I would have to pass on them. With a few simple tools and stamps already in your supplies, you can create any custom embellishment right at home. AND, you know what? I love them better, cuz they didn't cost me anything extra.

Here's what I started with.

The first thing I do is pick an all occasion sentiment set to work with. I used Everyday Greetings here. It's one of my go-to TSG stamp sets! I stamp the words I want and then pick a few punches in different shapes that work with the size of the sentiments.

Next I find some buttons, twine, and a few other odds and ends. The best part for me, I "shopped" right from my desk. Yep, the felt, chipboard, leaf die cut, cork, and rolled flower were all scrap pieces just sitting on my desk. Give it a try and see for yourself. I bet you find lots of usable pieces right in front of you.After I have all the pieces I want to work with, I mix and match and see what will work with which punches out sentiment best.

After I have the pieces where I want them, I get busy assembling them. I used glue dots and dimensionals where appropriate and I almost always sew on my buttons with the twine to help keep the "bulkiness" down. It also guarantees permanent placement.

I have to tell you, while these looks like they take a long time to create, they really don't. Once you have the pieces ready to go, it all comes together quickly. Here are my finished embellies! Aren't they just the coolest?!I usually attach them to a piece of acetate with some repositionable glue dots. That way I can take them off easily and attach them to any project when I'm ready.I hope you feel inspired to make some of your own embellies! The cool thing is, everyone's will be different and unique! Thanks for hanging out with me today!

Monday, July 19, 2010

ETA: Last weeks TSG63 Inspiration Challenge can be found at the bottom of this post and scroll down to see last week's WIR winner!

This week’s challenge is brought to us by our Trendsetter of the Week, Lisa! Two of the hottest trends right now are chipboard and polka dots…and Lisa LOVES both! Your chipboard choices are limitless…chipboard images, chipboard letters, chipboard embellishments, etc. You can incorporate polka dots by using dotted papers, ribbons, or creating your own polka dots! We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

To be eligible for the giveaway, you are to create a card that incorporates polka dots and chipboards, and then come back to the TSG Blog to add your name and a link to your project in the Inlinkz that is located at the bottom of this challenge post. This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (July 26th). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG Web store!

By participating in this challenge, you may also find yourself in the Trendsetting Spotlight that shines on the TSG Blog every Thursday. We will be on the look out to find challenge cards that stand out and show Trendsetting qualities. TSG stamps are not required to participate in the challenges but are appreciated :)

You do not need to have a blog to be able to participate in the TSG Challenges! You can simply add the URL link from your project after it has been uploaded to your online craft gallery. If you upload your card to an online craft gallery, please use the keyword TSG64 so we can check out your beautiful work!

Need some inspiration to help you get started? Check out these great cards made by the following Trendsetters!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

What is Week In Review (WIR)?- WIR is where we showcase cards made by the Trendsetters and myself throughout the week. Not only to you get to see gorgeous projects made using TSG stamps, but you also have a chance to WIN one of these cards! Leave a comment on this post and tomorrow (Monday) I will choose a winner using a random number generator. That person will then get to pick out their favorite card and the Trendsetter that created it will send it to them :)

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Hey everyone, and welcome to this week's Stampbook Saturday!! Don't know what a "stampbook" is? Well, basically, a Stampbook Page is a scrapbook page created using stamps and inspired by a card. Each week we create a new Stampbook Page to give you ideas on how to use your stamps in a new way and hopefully inspire you to catch up on those family photos that you've been meaning to scrapbook. ;)My sister just had a baby, so I KNEW the subject of my page today would HAVE to be my new ADORABLE new nephew!! The photo printer at Wal-mart wasn't very nice to me, and would barely allow me to edit my page, but you can still see how CUTE he is!!!Before I show you the page, here is a look at the card that inspired me!! I was inspired by Mercy's card for the AMAZING layout that she used. I just LOVED all the circle's and brads....so me!!I stuck with the circle theme, although I made mine scalloped and added another row!!! I wanted to be able to frame my picture with the brads!! I used some yummy SU DP, and made my circles to go under the picture of my new nephew, Ian. Isn't he a CUTIE PIE!! Since I ended up with four rows of circles, I decided to add my sayings on at the last minute...one for each row. My elephants, from the Polka Dot Pals set, were paper pieced, which I loved as well!!

Well, that is it for me for now!! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

Friday, July 16, 2010

Join us tonight right here on the TSG forum for our Friday Night Chat! Everyone is welcome and we love to meet new people so stop by and say hello :)

What is Dollar Find Friday? Every Friday the featured Trendsetter will share a project with you that was created using an item that costs $1 or less. Everyone loves a good bargain...now we will show you some ideas on how to actually use those great finds!